Explain how the attitudes toward Great Britain and France shaped American politics in the late eighteenth century.

By the late eighteenth century, Britain and France were fighting a war that would soon engulf Europe and ultimately the world.  The United States, following the presidency of George Washington, was beginning to form political parties.  These two parties were the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists.  

The Democratic-Republicans, under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson, favored France in the war between Britain and France.  They saw the French Revolution as an extension of the American Revolution...

By the late eighteenth century, Britain and France were fighting a war that would soon engulf Europe and ultimately the world.  The United States, following the presidency of George Washington, was beginning to form political parties.  These two parties were the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists.  

The Democratic-Republicans, under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson, favored France in the war between Britain and France.  They saw the French Revolution as an extension of the American Revolution and a demonstration of the principle that everyone desires freedom.  Even as the French Revolution grew bloody and anti-clerical, many in the party still had warm feelings toward France.  They also wanted to give France aid in the war, as France was the colonists' primary ally during the American Revolution.  

On the other hand, the Federalists favored Britain in their war with France.  The Federalists saw chaos in the Reign of Terror and thought that all of the killings would be the undoing of civilization.  They were also repulsed by the confiscation of church property in France and the killings of the clergy, even though many in the Federalist party were Protestant.  They saw in Britain a source of political stability and also the United States' main trading partner.  John Adams, president during this time period, even signed off on the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were an attempt to keep anti-British radicals out of the country and curtail anti-government sentiment.  

Both parties did not approve of the ship seizures by Britain and France after United States sailors tried to run the blockade and trade in Europe.  John Adams waged the "Quasi-War" with the French navy during this time period—it would continue until Napoleon came to power and agreed to stop seizing American shipping.  Britain would continue to do so and also pressed American sailors into its own merchant marine.  This would ultimately lead to the war of 1812.